Murray, Sykora previous 18th picks

If nothing else, the Predators should feel comfortable about picking 18th overall in next month’s NHL draft.

Nashville’s first-round spot was determined earlier this week when Montreal upended Pittsburgh in the second round.

The Preds have twice in the past five years wound up with the 18th spot in the first round, taking defenseman Ryan Parent in 2005 and goalie Chet Pickard in 2008. In addition, Preds defenseman Denis Grebeshkov was chosen – by Los Angeles – with the 18th overall pick in 2002.

Can the 18th overall pick be a huge difference-maker for a team? Yes he can, just looking back over the past two decades of entry drafts.

Boston, for instance, chose right Glen Murray at No. 18 in 1991, and he went on to play 1,009 NHL games – totaling 679 points. Another memorable forward selection came in 1995, when the New Jersey Devils chose forward Petr Sykora, who would go on to play 935 NHL games, score 302 goals and total 677 points.

Difference-makers chosen on defense at No. 18 include New Jersey pick Jason Smith (1992), who played 1,008 NHL games and piled up 1,099 penalty minutes. Pittsburgh nabbed hard-hitting Brooks Orpik at No. 18 in 2000. He’s already played 449 games, compiled 529 penalty minutes and won a Stanley Cup.

But just like any spots, No. 18 has seen its share of flops. Preds fans can only hope Nashville doesn’t follow the path of the Calgary Flames, who in 1993 selected the famed Jesper Mattsson at No. 18. Jesper’s next NHL game will be his first.

Then there were the L.A. Kings, who ran into similar problems with left wing Jens Karlsson, picked 18th in 2001. The hockey world still awaits Karlsson’s NHL debut.